Press Releases

Whether you're into Druid's round houses or the homes of the future, the buildings at the Museum of Welsh Life have always had a strong hold on the nation's affections and imaginations. Major new developments in the Celtic Village and the re-launch of the House for the Future as Y Ty Gwyrdd: Centre for Sustainable Living, combine the ancient uses of natural materials such as wood, wool and clay with the current interest in green living and sustainable homes.

Since its re-construction in 1992, Museum experts have been closely monitoring the effects and consequences of time on the buildings and their natural materials in the Celtic Village. Through a mixture of damp and structural damage, the conical roof of the Conerton house was dismantled and is currently being rebuilt by wattle and daub expert Dafydd Wiliam using traditional techniques and natural resources.

This round, stone house with its thatched conical roof will be the village Druid's house and will include such items as bronze spoons for auguring the future and the mystically loaded plants of the period such as mistletoe. The Museum has also enlisted the help of the Vicus re-enactment group to re-build the wooden palisade that surrounds the village. The continuing trend for experimental archaeology and historical interpretation which has been pioneered at the village lends itself perfectly to National Archaeology Week that runs at St Fagans and the National Museum & Gallery at Cathays Park from 16